Patent GB-1284500-A (GB)
Title: Device for automatic control of the process of biosynthesis of micro-organisms
Inventor: POLIVODA ANATOLY IVANOVICH
IPC: C12M1/36
Filed: 1970-04-01
Abstract: 1284500 Electro-physical measurement VSESOJUZNY NAUCHNO-ISSLEDOYATELSKY INSTITUT BIOSIN-TEZA BELKOVYKH VESCHESTV 1 April 1970 15509/70 Headings G1A and G1N [Also in Division C6] Apparatus for automatic control of the biosynthesis of micro-organisms in a reactor 1, Fig.1, comprises: (1) a channel 2 to receive information on the volumes of individual cells of micro-organisms in the reactor, including a proportioner 4 adapted to dilute a sample of the reactor contents, a transducer 5 to produce signal pulses indicative of the volumes of individual cells, an amplifier 6 and a pulse shaper circuit 8, (2) an integral electron-optical channel 19 for measuring the cytochrome concentration in the cellular biomass found in the reactor, including a cytochrome concentration meter 20 (see also Fig.3), a comparator unit 21 to produce electric signal pulses indicative of the cytochrome concentration, an amplifier 22 and a pulse shaper circuit 23, (3) an integral channel 36 for measuring the ratio between the amount of cellular biomass and that of the principal nutrient in the reactor e.g. a petroleum paraffin, including a transducer 37 (see also Fig.4) for measuring the amount of biomass and the principal nutrient, an amplifier 38, a unit 39 for producing signal pulses indicative of the ratio between the amount of cellular biomass and that of the principal nutrient, and a pulse shaper circuit 40, (4) a gas feed control channel 46 for measuring the concentration of gas dissolved in the liquid culture medium of the reactor, including a dissolved gas concentration transducer 47 to produce electric signal pulses indicative of the dissolved gas concentration, an amplifier 48 and a pulse shaper circuit 49, and (5) a logical unit connected to the channels and associated with actuating mechanisms to feed nutrients into the reactor, and adapted to convert the information incoming through the channels into parameters and to compare the parameters with pre-set values. The volume of the individual cells in the culture is determined in terms of the amplitude of the voltage pulses produced in a transducer circuit when cellular culture liquid is passed through a hole dielectric diaphragm. The cytochrome concentration is determined by exposing a layer of the culture medium 24, Fig.3, of a predetermined thickness to one of two channels of mono-chromatic stabilized-intensity light from a source 26, the other acting as a reference channel. The comparator unit 21, Fig.1, comprises two photo-electric pick-ups 32 and 33, Fig.3, connected to adjacent arms of a bridge circuit. The ratio between the amounts of biomass (cells) and principal nutrient, petroleum paraffins, is evaluated by measuring the permittivities of (1) the principal nutrient alone and (2) the culture medium (containing cells and paraffins) under the effect of a variable-frequency voltage produced by a generator 41, Fig.4, which is connected to electrodes 42 immersed in the test liquid flowing through working chambers 43, and two frequencies # 1  and # 2  are used. The permittivity of paraffin remains practically unaffected within a given frequency range, whereas the permittivity of the cellular biomass undergoes a considerable variation.